TEN "ladettes" have descended on a peaceful dale to take part in a new reality television series.

Eggleston Hall, in Teesdale, County Durham - a former finishing school - is to house the girls as they try to learn new skills in an attempt to become ladies.

The series, Ladette to Lady, is being produced by RDF Media, the production company behind Faking It and Wife Swap.

The finishing school has been recreated at the hall and contestants must complete tasks such as attending a dinner-dance, wine tasting and dress making in a bid to ditch their boozy, loud-mouthed image.

Viewers will then vote off contestants when the programme is screened this summer.

Last week, the girls enjoyed a meal and champagne at the Raby Arms, in Barnard Castle. Landlord Chris Burns, said: "The girls were quite well behaved.

"I imagine the finishing school teachers who were with them might have found it a bit eye-opening, but it wasn't any worse than you get in here on a Friday night."

The hall, which is home to Sir William and Lady Juliet Gray, stages short foundation cookery courses and flower arranging classes.